In Belgium 86,384 buildings, some of which represented the highest type of medieval architecture, were destroyed. All, except a narrow strip 23 miles long, nowhere more than 10 miles wide, was occupied. 600,000 Belgians were in exile for four years. 5,800 orphans of soldiers and 6,200 orphans of civilians, who were shot during the "demonstration of frightfulness," were left in the wake of the German invasion.